At least 10 people have been injured and three arrested after anti-monarchy protesters clashed with police in the Spanish capital, Madrid. The activists slammed monarchy, saying it’s a “dictatorship” and “corrupt”.

At least 500 people
gathered in Puerta del Sol, one of the best known and busiest
places in the heart of Madrid, reported Ruptly news agency. The
activists were demanding reform to the country’s constitution and
the abolition of the monarchy.

The protesters were holding banners saying “Constituent
Processes now! Monarchy is not democracy, it is dictatorship and
corruption," reported El Nuevo Herald newspaper.

“Republic again!" chanted the audience, holding placards
with the face of King Felipe VI, who was depicted as the Great
Dictator, according to El Mundo.

The demonstration was peaceful at first, but turned violent when
the participants tried to march to the Spanish Parliament.

Police arrested at least three protesters, reported Ruptly,
adding that 10 people were injured during the clashes. Spanish
newspaper 20 Minutos said six people were injured and three
arrested, including two women, in the scuffles.

Spain’s monarchy is descended from the ancient line of Bourbons,
who ruled France before and after the 1789 revolution. Former
King Juan Carlos’s grandfather, King Alfonso XIII, fled the
country in the face of a popular revolt in 1931 and the country
became a republic.

The royal family saw its reputation peak back in 1975 when, on
the death of fascist dictator General Francisco Franco, Juan
Carlos was invited to become king. He initially gained widespread
popularity for playing an active part in building a modern
democracy.

However, as the country plunged into a deep economic recession by
2011, a series of corruption scandals made a huge dent in the
royal family’s reputation.

Juan Carlos abdicated in favor of his son, Felipe, in June this
year.

In the meantime, monarchists hope for a new era of popularity for
the troubled royal family, which has been the subject of a series
of corruption scandals as a recession pushed millions of
Spaniards deeper into poverty.